Maimonides quotes - page 2

All the great evils which men cause to each other because of certain intentions, desires, opinions, or religious principles, are likewise due to non-existence, because they originate in ignorance, which is absence of wisdom. (Maimonides)
The more necessary a thing is for living beings, the more easily it is found and the cheaper it is; the less necessary it is, the rarer and dearer it is. View quote
Maimonides
The soul, when accustomed to superfluous things, acquires a strong habit of desiring things which are neither necessary for the preservation of the individual nor for that of the species. This desire is without limit, whilst those which are necessary are few in number and restricted within certain limits; but what is superfluous is without end... View quote
Maimonides
The true work of God is all good, since it is existence. View quote
Maimonides
There are four different theories concerning Divine Providence; they are all ancient, known from the time of the Prophets, when the true law was revealed to enlighten these dark regions. View quote
Maimonides
The philosophers likewise assume that in Nature there is nothing in vain, so that everything that is not the product of human industry serves a certain purpose, which may be known or unknown to us. View quote
Maimonides
Management [ Providence ], knowledge, and intention are not the same when ascribed to us and when ascribed to God. View quote
Maimonides
It is better and more satisfactory to acquit a thousand guilty persons than to put a single innocent one to death. View quote
Maimonides
For that which is without a beginning, a final cause need not be sought. View quote
Maimonides
We suffer from the evils which we, by our own free will, inflict on ourselves and ascribe them to God, who is far from being connected with them! View quote
Maimonides
Even the existence of this corporeal element, low as it in reality is, because it is the source of death and all evils, is likewise good for the permanence of the Universe and the continuation of the order of things, so that one thing departs and the other succeeds. (Maimonides)
For it is said, "You shall strengthen the stranger and the dweller in your midst and live with him," that is to say, strengthen him until he needs no longer fall upon the mercy of the community or be in need. View quote
Maimonides
That which is produced with intention has passed over from non-existence to existence. View quote
Maimonides
This must be our belief when we have a correct knowledge of our own self, and comprehend the true nature of everything; we must be content, and not trouble our mind with seeking a certain final cause for things that have none, or have no other final cause but their own existence, which depends on the Will of God, or, if you prefer, on the Divine Wisdom. View quote
Maimonides
The being which has absolute existence, which has never been and will never be without existence, is not in need of an agent. View quote
Maimonides
The question, "What is the purpose thereof?" cannot be asked about anything which is not the product of an agent; therefore we cannot ask what is the purpose of the existence of God. View quote
Maimonides
You will find that there is no other difference of opinion as regards any portions of the Universe, except that the philosophers believe in the Eternity of the Universe and we believe in the Creation. Note this. View quote
Maimonides
Those who believe that... detailed rules originate in a certain cause, are as far from the truth as those who assume that the whole law is useless. View quote
Maimonides
The so-called evils are evils only in relation to a certain thing, and that which is evil in relation to a certain existing thing, either includes the non-existence of that thing or the non-existence of some of its good conditions. View quote
Maimonides
In so far as the soul is a force residing in the body; it has therefore been said that the properties of the soul depend of the condition of the body. View quote
Maimonides
I find it expressed in various passages of Scripture that the fact that God knows things while in a state of possibility, when their existence belongs to the future, does not change the nature of the possible in any way; that nature remains unchanged; and the knowledge of the realisation of one of several possibilities does not yet effect that realisation. This is likewise one of the fundamental principles of the Law of Moses concerning which there is no doubt nor any dispute. (Maimonides)
The key to the understanding and to the full comprehension of all that the Prophets have said is found in the knowledge of the figures, their general ideas, and the meaning of each word they contain. View quote
Maimonides
No form remains permanently in a substance; a constant change takes place, one form is taken off and another is put on. View quote
Maimonides
The Prophets even express their surprise that God should take notice of man, who is too little and too unimportant to be worthy of the attention of the Creator; how, then, should other living creatures be considered as proper objects for Divine Providence! View quote
Maimonides
Even when a person suffers pain in consequence of a thorn having entered into his hand, although it is at once drawn out, it is a punishment that has been inflicted on him, and the least pleasure he enjoys is a reward; all this is meted out by strict justice; as is said in the Scripture, "all His ways are judgement" (Deut. xxxii. 4); we are only ignorant of the working of that judgement. View quote
Maimonides